CHEN SAITEVY

Saitevy is a 19 year old farmer, who lives in Pu Ngoal village with her family.  Her day-to-day work is determined by the farming season which runs from May until December. She adheres to the traditions and religious practices that have been passed down through generations.

About 

Saitevy’s daily routine starts early with cooking and dishwashing for the family, along with feeding and herding their livestock. They own two cows, one buffalo, pigs, chickens and ducks, along with rice fields and one cashew plantation. Her husband works as a lawyer’s assistant in Mondulkiri. She shares that there are few opportunities for businesses in Pu Ngaol and many people have to seek jobs elsewhere. Saitevy would like to pursue further studies to enhance her education. This would take place in the province at weekends, however, she is not able to participate because of her commitments (caregiving, family and farming duties) and instead focuses on sending her sister and brother to school.

The farming season begins in May with ploughing, sowing, and nurturing seedlings. By July, the seedlings have matured enough to be transplanted, which is a task her family usually carries out in late August or early September. After transplanting, they focus on herding any cattle. They also stay and raise chickens and ducks at home until November. At the end of October, they reach the harvest season, where rice is the core crop between late November and early December. At the end of the farming season they let the cattle roam the fields to eat straw.

Her family uses the forest behind the house to go to the toilet. Saitevy would like to have a toilet and reflects that if sections of the forest are cut down to make way for new plantations or fields, they won’t have a place to go. 

Saitevy and her brother collect water from a river daily, taking turns on a motorbike. They make about ten trips to fetch enough water to fill one jar (around 60 litres) which can last five or six days. During the rainy season the water can become difficult to collect and unclean due to the high river flow. They also have access to a pump well near to their house but it contains too much chloride so is only used for washing dishes and pots, irrigating their crops and preparing rice for the pigs. 

Issues and Ideas

• Saitevy shares that her family bathe, drink and cook rice with water from the river. They are unsure what harmful viruses or waste are in the water, but they have no other options. Sometimes they find dead animals such as chickens or dogs floating on the surface of the water. What ideas do you have to prevent and address the waste escaping into the environment and the health of the river for community use?

• Saitevy owns two motorbikes but faces difficulties during the rainy season when the roads become difficult to navigate and traverse. This impacts her travelling to the market, hospital, or getting the children to school. What solutions can you come up with to improve travel and access to essential services in Pu Ngaol?

• There is a lack of toilets in Pu Ngaol and families often rely on the forest for sanitation. Saitevy would like to see more in the community. Can you come up with any ideas to support sanitation and hygiene access in Pu Ngaol?

Find out more from Chen Saitevy in their video interview, available here.